Getting Started

Select boards that are straight. Tip: Pretend the board is an arrow on a bow and look down the length of the board to see if it is straight. Tip: To save time, have hardware store cut boards as directed in cut list. Work on a clean level surface large enough for the project, and always wear safety glasses and ensure proper ventilation when painting.

Trim Sides of Shelves

Pre-drill pilot holes with countersink bit on bottom edge of all trim boards. Use glue and 2-1/2" trim screws to attach side trim to shelves. Keep bottom edges flush.

Trim Sides of Shelves

Pre-drill pilot holes with countersink bit on bottom edge of all trim boards. Use glue and 2-1/2" trim screws to attach side trim to shelves. Keep bottom edges flush.

Attach Front and Back Trim

Drill pilot holes on front and back trim along bottom edge and ends. Use 2-1/2" trim screws and wood glue to attach front and back trim to shelf and side trim. Set shelves aside.

Attach Front and Back Trim to Shelves

Drill pilot holes on front and back trim along bottom edge and ends. Use 2-1/2" trim screws and wood glue to attach front and back trim to shelf and side trim. Set shelves aside.

Cut Front Legs

Mark end of front leg with protractor at 15 degrees off square. Cut end of leg along mark with saw. Measure 55-3/8" to opposite end of leg. Mark top of leg with protractor making line parallel to bottom of leg. Cut.

Cut Front Legs of Storage Ladder

Mark the end of front leg with a protractor at 15 degrees off square. Cut the end of leg along the mark with a saw, measure 55-3/8" to opposite end of leg and mark top of leg with protractor making line parallel to bottom of leg. Cut.

Cut Top of Front Leg

Measure one inch from top front of leg and mark. Using the square, draw a line perpendicular to the top of leg. Cut as shown in diagram.

Cut Top of Front Legs

Measure one inch from top front of leg and mark. Using the square, draw a line perpendicular to the top of leg. Cut as shown in diagram.

Assemble Legs

Drill pilot hole on top edge of back legs. Screw back legs to front legs as shown in diagram with 2-1/2" trim screws and glue.

Assemble Wooden Legs

Assemble the legs by drilling a pilot hole on top edge of back legs, screw back legs to front legs as shown in diagram with 2-1/2" trim screws and glue.

Top Trim

Pre-drill holes as shown in diagram then glue and attach legs to top trim, using 2-1/2" trim screws.

Apply Top Trim to Storage Ladder

To apply the top trim, pre-drill holes as shown in diagram. Glue and attach legs to top trim using 2-1/2" trim screws.

Shelf Assembly

Mark legs as shown in the diagram. Also mark each shelf 2" from the top front corner; the top front edge of the shelves extends 2" beyond the front legs. Start by attaching bottom shelf to legs, using 1-1/4" screws. Then attach remaining shelves, checking for level and square on each shelf.

Illustration for Shelf Assembly

Mark legs as shown in the diagram. Also mark each shelf 2" from the top front corner; the top front edge of the shelves extends 2" beyond the front legs. Start by attaching bottom shelf to legs, using 1-1/4" screws. Then attach remaining shelves, checking that each is level and square.